MONTREAL - Quebec motorcyclists will be paying less to roll in 2012.
The Quebec Licence Bureau (SAAQ) has agreed to lower motorcycle vehicle registration prices for motorists by 15 to 30 percent.
In February 2012 they will be paying $891 for plates, down from $1,381 this year. In 2007 the price was $320.
Other types of motocycle-type vehicles will also see reductions from $23 to $131 per year.
Eric Lessard of the Common Front of Motorcyclists says the SAAQ made the modifications as a result of negotiations that took place in February with the main motorcycle associations.
Lessard says that after many years of work, the province finally recognized the improvements in the record of motorcycle-riders.
He claims that over the last 20 years the number of motorcycle accidents dropped by 350 percent while the number of riders has doubled.
As a result, motorcycle owners are self-financing their insurance claims, which has allowed the SAAQ to reduce the rates.
The highest-risk motorcyslts, those who have committed the most traffic violations will be forced to pay an additional charge.
The rate changes have to be approved by a council of experts.
Lessard said he is happy with the changes, which followed a 10 years standoff. He says the improved climate will allow them to move onto other dossiers, such as dealing with the noise caused by motorcyclists.
